Indy Racing League and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway adopt the Hole in the Wall Camps as “Charitable Partner”

MAY 10, 2008 INDIANAPOLIS – The Indy Racing League and Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced today that they have designated the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps as a “Charitable Partner” of both organizations.

The announcement was made on Pole Day for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by Tony George, chief executive officer of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and founder and CEO of the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body of the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights, Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing co-owner Paul Newman, who started the first Hole in the Wall Camp in 1988 and has been the driving force ever since, and Ray Empson, president and CEO of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps.

“I have admired Paul Newman’s commitment to charities for years, especially his dedication to the Hole in the Wall Camps,” George said. “We are pleased to partner with the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps and hope to help more children with serious illnesses get the chance to just be kids.”

Hole in the Wall Camps (HITWC) is the world's largest family of camps, serving children's camps as well as camps in development around the world. Each camp is a separate entity expanding Newman's dream of providing a recreational and therapeutic camping experience for children facing serious illnesses and life-threatening conditions.

“It is nice to have a sport you love. It’s nicer still to have that sport love the charity you love,” said Newman.

Children with cancer, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, and many other conditions go to various HITWC camps to experience the simple joys of childhood, without compromising any of their medical needs thanks to the association’s high-quality medical care. All children attend the camps free of charge as a result of generous contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and other organizations. In 2007, more than 11,100 children with serious medical conditions enjoyed a HITWC experience.

“The Hole in the Wall Camps are delighted to embark on this partnership with the Indy Racing League and Indianapolis Motor Speedway," Empson said. "Camp, like motorsports, is about teamwork and it is a great privilege to be part of the Indy team. We look forward to a mutually rewarding, enduring relationship.”

About Hole in the Wall Camps:
The Hole in the Wall Camps are the world's largest family of Camps for children with serious illnesses and life-threatening conditions. Founded by Paul Newman in 1988, the Camps have hosted more than 135,000 children from all 50 states and 32 countries free of charge. The Association includes 11 camps and two provisional camps around the world as well as a new initiative in Africa. For more information, please visit www.holeinthewallcamps.org.

About the Indy Racing League:
The Indy Racing League was formed in 1994 to preserve the heritage and excitement of the Indianapolis 500 in U.S. open-wheel racing. The Indy Racing League is the sanctioning body of the IndyCar Series, the premier open-wheel racing series in the United States, and the Firestone Indy Lights, which serves as an essential stepping stone for drivers striving to reach the IndyCar Series. Indy Racing League events are available to a worldwide audience through a variety of multimedia platforms, highlighted by a long-term and broad-reaching partnership with ESPN. The Indy Racing League is continually at the forefront of motorsports innovation with drivers, teams and tracks benefiting from major safety and technological improvements such as the SAFER Barrier, SWEMS wheel tethers, chassis enhancements, ethanol fuel and the Delphi Safety Team.

About Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world’s most famous racetrack and the largest spectator sporting facility in the world, with more than 250,000 permanent seats.

Built in 1909, IMS has played host to the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race annually on Memorial Day weekend since 1911 except for America’s involvement in world wars in 1917-18 and 1942-45. The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard stock car race also has been contested at IMS every year since 1994, and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP motorcycle race is a new addition to the schedule in 2008, taking place on the Speedway’s 2.620-mile road course.

IMS is the only facility in the world to stage events from the IndyCar Series, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and MotoGP.

The 1,025-acre IMS facility also includes the 18-hole championship Brickyard Crossing Golf Course and the IMS Hall of Fame Museum, one of the premier automotive and racing museums in the world.